a sudden, involuntary, spasmodic contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, especially of the extremities, sometimes with severe pain.
a piercing pain in the abdomen.
an intermittent, painful contraction of structures of a wall containing involuntary muscle, as in biliary colic or in the uterine contractions of menstruation or of labor.
writer's cramp.
verb (used with object)
to affect with or as if with a cramp.
Origin of cramp
1
1325–75; Middle English crampe<Old French <Germanic; cognate with Middle Dutch crampe,Old Saxon krampo,Old High German krampfo; derivative of adj. meaning narrow, constrained, bent; compare Old High German krampf,Old Norse krappr; akin to crimp1
The residents of Çatalhöyük appear to have copied the cramped passages of natural caves.
An Ancient Site with Human Skulls on Display - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Jo Marchant|September 2, 2020|Nautilus
This punctures the idea that cramps are a punishment for bad pacing.
The Enduring Mystery of Muscle Cramps|Alex Hutchinson|September 1, 2020|Outside Online
Schwellnus himself warned that muscle cramps are a complex phenomenon with many different contributing factors, so we shouldn’t expect a simple solution.
The Enduring Mystery of Muscle Cramps|Alex Hutchinson|September 1, 2020|Outside Online
What we’re left with is a search for factors we can control that might influence cramp risk.
The Enduring Mystery of Muscle Cramps|Alex Hutchinson|September 1, 2020|Outside Online
Any discussion of muscle cramps needs to start by revisiting retired baseball infielder Munenori Kawasaki’s detailed explanation of how he avoided a repeat of the cramp that had hobbled him the previous day.
The Enduring Mystery of Muscle Cramps|Alex Hutchinson|September 1, 2020|Outside Online
If Prince Harry is back on again with Chelsy Davy, he's not letting it cramp his style.
Prince Harry's Night Out|Tom Sykes|March 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Others would fall into ecstasies and be drawn into contortions, cramp, fits etc.
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints|Joseph Smith
We have to bridge over in some such way the gap between their conception of cramp and ours.
Studies in the History and Method of Science|Various
Mrs. Cramp, recovering from her surprise, told him he was welcome as the sun in harvest.
Johnny Ludlow, Sixth Series|Mrs. Henry Wood
That night he had again an attack of his cramp, but not so serious as the former.
Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume 6|John Gibson Lockhart
A knuckle bone or a cramp bone carried in the pocket prevents cramp.
Weather and Folk Lore of Peterborough and District|Charles Dack
British Dictionary definitions for cramp (1 of 2)
cramp1
/ (kræmp) /
noun
a painful involuntary contraction of a muscle, typically caused by overexertion, heat, or chill
temporary partial paralysis of a muscle groupwriter's cramp
(usually plural in the US and Canada)severe abdominal pain
verb
(tr)to affect with or as if with a cramp
Word Origin for cramp
C14: from Old French crampe, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German krampho
British Dictionary definitions for cramp (2 of 2)
cramp2
/ (kræmp) /
noun
Also called: cramp irona strip of metal with its ends bent at right angles, used to bind masonry
a device for holding pieces of wood while they are glued; clamp
something that confines or restricts
a confined state or position
verb(tr)
to secure or hold with a cramp
to confine, hamper, or restrict
cramp someone's styleinformalto prevent a person from using his abilities or acting freely and confidently
Word Origin for cramp
C15: from Middle Dutch crampe cramp, hook, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German khramph bent; see cramp1
A sudden, involuntary, spasmodic muscular contraction causing severe pain, often occurring in the leg or shoulder as the result of strain or chill.
A temporary partial paralysis of habitually or excessively used muscles.
crampsSpasmodic contractions of the uterus, such as those occurring during menstruation or labor, usually causing pain in the abdomen that may radiate to the lower back and thighs.